Top 7 Fundraising Ideas for Cheerleaders

Cheerleading has evolved into a sport of its own, featuring elaborate inspirational cheers and daring movements. Cheerleaders are often involved in fundraising activities because competitive cheer can cost each athlete between $2,000 and $3,000 per season. Alongside raising money for their own team, cheerleaders also help raise funds for the teams they support.

How much does it cost to be a cheerleader?

Often, cheerleading team costs can be high. Competitive teams are always looking for new fundraising ideas for cheerleaders to help offset costs. Some of the most common cheerleading team expenses include:

Travel costs:

The team will incur travel expenses if the team travels across the country for a competition or just across the state for a game or performance. The team should be able to afford gas, plane or bus fare, and lodging.

Uniform costs:

You can’t have successful high school cheerleading fundraisers without raising funds to purchase great uniforms. Cheerleaders need new uniforms every season, including sneakers, training gear, and accessories.

Coaching costs:

A cheerleading squad has to learn from the best to stay on top of their game. Head coaches, tumbling coaches, and choreographers can help lift the entire team to a new level.

Camp fees:

Every serious cheerleading squad needs a cheer camp. This is where they practice their routines, improve skills, and bond as a team. However, camps generally aren’t accessible to attend.

Entrance fees:

Cheerleading squads pay many entrance and competition fees to participate in local, regional, and often worldwide events and competitions.

Cheerleading fundraising ideas

  1. Fashion show

    Cheerleaders love performing, and organizing a fashion show gives you a perfect opportunity to shine and raise funds for your squad. Local boutiques can donate clothes, and the cheerleaders can model each outfit.

  2. Bake sale

    A bake sale always works. All it takes for one to be successful are tons of baked cookies (preferably prepared by the cheerleaders) and the right selling spot.

  3. Team tees

    Creating sponsor tees and distributing them at a fundraiser is one of the most efficient cheerleader fundraiser ideas. Invest in quality T-shirts, then print your logo at the front and sell team sponsorship spots to local businesses at the back.

  4. Candy grams

    If you’re looking for fundraising ideas for cheerleaders that hit the sweet tooth, there has to be some candy involved. Prepare small decorative bags with treats like chocolate bars and candy canes. Candy grams make a fun, delicious fundraiser that works exceptionally well near Christmas or Valentine’s Day.

  5. Crowdfunding

    Cheerleading can be expensive, with costs such as uniforms, travel, registration fees, tumbling classes, and injuries not always covered by schools. It can make it hard for some cheerleaders to participate.

    To raise money for your squad, you can start a crowdfunding campaign. GoFundMe is a good choice because they don’t charge fundraiser platform fees. The platform also allows collecting donations via mobile devices at events and helps you easily share on your social media, on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and by email. Share a compelling story about why your team needs these funds to keep cheering.

  6. Cheer competition

    If done right, a cheer competition can bring a lot of revenue. You can raise money in many ways by hosting a well-organized cheer competition. Include team registration fees and vendor tables, or contact local businesses to acquire flowers, food, and drinks. Cheerleading teams can prepare candy grams for extra revenue, too.

  7. Cheer showcase

    The beginning of the season is perfect timing for your cheerleading squad to host a showcase. It will be the first time your team shows its new routine to the entire school and guests. Organize a fantastic cheer showcase and invite teams from other schools. Invite friends and family, and make sure to charge admission fees. Prepare candy grams and fresh lemonade to sell before each group shows their routine. You can also include flowers and vendor tables.

Cheer your way to your goal

Brainstorming fundraising ideas for cheerleaders and their competitions is a great way to get your team working towards a common end goal. Are you needing new uniforms or funds to travel to the next competition? Crowdfunding could be the perfect solution for your team. If you haven’t already, start your fundraiser today.